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The Park Side Café

4.0 (90 reviews)
Closed • 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Updated 2 months ago

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THE PARK SIDE CAFÉ ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Menu is posted on the glass near the register.
Crystal F.

Five stars for the full experience. The Victorian-era styled building in West Olympia, The Park Side Café offers plant-based dishes in style. The cafe offers small tapas-like plates of assorted vegan-friendly offerings. I ordered the visually stunning, with loads of texture and taste, Moroccan Roasted Chickpea Kale Salad no dressing. Saving room for dessert, I could not resist sharing one of their giant chocolate chip cookies and a few bites of their German Chocolate cream pie with my kids. Like a typical cafe, you order at the register. We were greeted by friendly and attentive servers. My husband ordered the German potato salad, my daughter enjoyed the Seitan & Rice Burrito, and my son was meh on the Seitan Pepperoni Pizza Hand Pie. I myself, am not a huge fan of Seitan, so I wasn't really surprised they didn't like it either. Once you are finished eating, you can wander upstairs where there is a cute kitchen supply shop and another friendly face to greet you. It was fun checking out the unique building and walking by a gorgeous bed and breakfast owned by the same woman who opened this restaurant. If you have time, I recommend walking around the grounds of the bed and breakfast next door, it is beautiful!

Samosa with mint chutney
Ayla B.

The staff? Incredible! Everyone is so friendly, they answered all of my questions, and even apologized for the wait times. They're such a happy face for this lovely, little space! Did I enjoy my time? Yes. I opted for an oak milk cinnamon bun coffee and my wait for the coffee was easily 20 mins just from this spot being popular! I cannot say it was worth the wait for the coffee... it was beyond cinnamon bun sweet for me. I did like the flavor profile, but I think the sugar content may have been too high for me to enjoy this one. I also ordered the samosa hand pie and it was tasty, but a little bit dry. Now, let me talk about the mint chutney sauce, friends!! THE BEST I've had... ever. If I could drink this sauce like the food gremlin I am without getting worried looks shot my way... I 100% would. It was beautiful. Packed with the fresh mint flavor, but creamy enough to where the mint doesn't become abrasive. I drowned my hand pie in it and I have no regrets. It was spectacular.

Giant hot chocolate
Chris C.

The front of house staff was so warm and welcoming and food was ready quickly- we are a large family of vegans (who have lived and eaten coast to coast for 40 years) and ordered a bunch- cabbage soup, apple handpie, pizza handpie, biscuits and gravy, apple cinnamon cheesecake, peanut butter chocolate pie, breakfast sandwich, apple strawberry cider, a tea , chocolate chip cookie and a hot chocolate. We read reviews before coming here and after eating here find any comparison to Wayside laughable- and we LOVE wayside (it's the west coasts closest version of the Chicago Diner or SoulVeg) but the food here is completely different . The flavors are understated but still there-- meaning your hand pizza has more delicate flavors that start with crust and end with the pepperoni - I'd guess most things are made in house or locally due to the lack of heaviness and saltiness you get with premade foods like beyond (typically used in every PDX vegan eatery). The breakfast sando was small and again not heavy its flavors were light and a bit overpowered by the wheat-yness of the English muffin but still delicious. The desserts were on the sweeter side and really smooth- the strawberry apple cider was too sweet for the adults, but very tasty and loved by the kids. We left feeling full, not heavy and pleasantly pleased. The whole feel is more upscale vegan brunch and while the place isn't "not for kids"- I'd enjoy it more if I didn't bring mine and could savor the food instead of playing fork wars with my offspring :)

Our quesadillas and hand pies.
Jessica H.

We stopped here yesterday during a long, rainy road trip from Oregon. We were tired and cranky thanks to the hours spent in the car and the terrible weather...but this place cheered us right up! It has a bright, warm vibe and tasty food. We each got quesadillas and a hand pie. I got the enchilada hand pie and while it tasted nothing like an authentic Mexican or Tex-Mex enchilada, the flavours were delicious and I would happily order it again. The kale made it seem healthy too, ha. My friend got the creamy veggie hand pie and also loved it. The quesadillas again did not taste like authentic Mexican quesadillas but they were perfectly adequate. They came with salsa and a cashew cream dip that really hit the spot. I also got the PB&J cheesecake. It was decadant, but I would've like a little more of the jelly flavor. I'd like to try their other desserts in the future. This place has lots of little dishes that you can add together to form a "mixed plate," so it's fun to try a variety of things. Service was super friendly and the prices were reasonable. Definitely a great find in the Olympia area and I'll be back

Alex N Gigi S.

If I could give 6 stars I would!!! I cannot say enough about the service I received from the Parkside Café! I wanted to express my extreme satisfaction with Parkside. I do not live in Washington State, but our daughter, does and I wanted to send her a birthday surprise. I was looking through Yelp for any vegan pastry's and thank goodness we Parkside ! I called and placed an order with help from a young lady who's name escapes my mind. But I would be remiss if I did not point out how extremely helpful and patient this young lady was with me. I told her about us not living in the state and that to make matters worse my daughters' car (Kia) had been stolen the previous night just before her birthday. I explained what I wanted and she was extremely helpful in helping us (my husband & I) make our selection. In addition, I also asked this kind young lady if she could PLEASE write a HBD to our daughter directly on the box. She was kind enough to say yes. Needless, to say we could not be HAPPIER with our purchase. WOWWWW what a beautiful vegan pie and the amazing detail on the box was truly unexpected. From a pair of parents who miss their daughter and are over 3,300 miles away, THANK YOU for making my daughters day extra special!

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Victoria K.

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Won A.! Thank you for the awesome review. We love our customers!

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Erica! Thanks for this awesome review! We work hard for our customers!

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Thanks for the nice review Carla!

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2 years ago

Super friendly staff and yummy vegan food. The vibe inside is mellow, a nice spot to catch up with a friend or get some work done.

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The Wayside Cafe - Vegan Cajun chicken sandwich and collard greens

The Wayside Cafe

4.5(244 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

I have been going here for years. FIVE full stars because: -…read moreFood is amazing. The entrees (my fave is the mac & cheese with yummy tempeh bacon) and absolutely the desserts, too! - Customer service, also amazing - They have a pay-it-forward program that helps those in need get meals for free Do yourself and Olympia a service and go check this place out!

I have been wanting to try Wayside forever but am absolutely never in the Olympia area. Because we…read morefinally were this weekend, I definitely wanted to take the opportunity to come here. It did not disappoint! I tried the Norma sandwich which was delicious. The tofu skin patty was unlike any other faux chicken I've had and so good! And because I'm always on the search for great vegan mac and cheese I had that as my side. Absolutely delicious! Very creamy. Portions are large here so I brought some of the mac home and am looking forward to having it for lunch tomorrow. My husband tried the dip sandwich with a side of the mashed potatoes and gravy and ate every last bit. He loved it. It's a very cute cafe on the corner with friendly staff. I witnessed a man in need come in and take advantage of the program they have where you can buy a meal for a hungry person to come in in the future and have a free meal. That's a lovely service to the community. So glad I was able to finally patronize this great vegan business! I'll try to come back soon!

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The Wayside Cafe
The Wayside Cafe
The Wayside Cafe

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The Owl's Nest coffee + pastries - Earl grey muffin

The Owl's Nest coffee + pastries

4.5(119 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

The Owl's Nest is a fantastic café with great food, excellent coffee, and one of the most spacious…read morecoffee shop interiors I've come across. We ordered the avocado toast, chickpea sandwich, and coffee, and everything was delicious. The food was fresh, satisfying, and paired perfectly with the excellent coffee, making it an ideal spot for breakfast or lunch. Service was quick and friendly, and our order arrived promptly. The atmosphere is the real standout. The café has a huge indoor space with multiple seating areas, each featuring its own unique décor and vibe, so there's something for everyone--whether you're catching up with friends, getting some work done, or simply enjoying a quiet coffee break. If you're in the area, The Owl's Nest is a café I'd highly recommend.

Stopped here for a breakfast. Ordered: 12 oz of Earl Grey,…read more16 oz of Latte, Lavender Scone, Sundried Tomato Scone, Maple Pecan Scone, Panini Sandwich. Total $61 including a tip. We somehow spaced it that the cafe served only plant based food and only realized it after we took couple of bites because the food had unpleasant aftertaste. The pros: 1. Appreciate the support for LGBTQ 2. Appreciate the idea of "plant based" food 3. Nice atmosphere The cons: 1. The 12 oz cup of tea and the 16 oz cup of latte were served in the 12 oz mugs. We paid for a 16 oz latte. 2. Early Grey was of poor quality. Not much flavor. 3. The scones tasted ok, but not like true traditional scones. I presume it is because they are plant based. 4. Shortly after eating a sundried tomato scone I started feeling nauseated and developed a headache which lasted for several hours after. I do not have food allergies, I do though react poorly to heavily processed food. Knowing my body very well this makes me wonder about the quality of ingredients used. Plant based food is a very noble idea and is better for health and environment when in its natural form (olive oil, veggies, whole grains, etc.), but unfortunately some products are often very heavily processed (plant based butter, cheese, etc.). I have no idea what those scones were made of. I will not eat other scones after this experience. 5. I took a bite of hubby's panini. It had an unpleasant aftertaste. 6. We paid for 3 scones. The cashier gave us only two. I thought that the third one would be brought out shortly with the rest of the order so I let the cashier to attend to the line behind us. When the 3rd scone wasn't brought out I approached the counter to ask about it. Another person that was standing there asked me if I paid for it.......Seeing so much suspicion on their face I told the person that I would like to wait for the cashier to see if she would remember me placing an order. To which that person responded - I believe you......This was not a pleasant experience and this is not sound customer service if you ask me. Instead of taking responsibility and checking their system, they made me feel like I was trying to get free food. A professional business should always prioritize making the customer feel heard and valued, rather than putting them on the defensive. The OK: Coffee was just ok. I personally wouldn't come back for it. Overall this is not my cup of tea. I wouldn't come back.

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The Owl's Nest coffee + pastries - Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday!

The Owl's Nest coffee + pastries
The Owl's Nest coffee + pastries - Good Morning!

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Good Morning!

Uptown Grill - Basque cheesecake

Uptown Grill

4.5(527 reviews)
1.1 mi
•$$

We had such an incredible meal at Uptown Grill! Everything we ordered was fresh, delicious, and…read morefull of flavor, and the service was exceptional. The beet salad with chicken was amazing. It had a beautiful mix of greens, beets, citrus, and nuts, with plenty of chicken. I loved the combination of flavors and textures... every bite had something delicious in it. This was definitely a salad worth getting excited about! We also had a rice bowl loaded with fresh vegetables, feta, and a creamy sauce. The cucumbers, tomatoes, and onions added so much freshness, and everything came together beautifully. Both dishes looked fantastic when they arrived and tasted every bit as good as they looked. We enjoyed beer and wine with our meal, which made for such a nice afternoon together. The exceptional service added to an already wonderful experience, and we left so happy with our visit. If you're looking for delicious food and great service, Uptown Grill is absolutely worth a visit. We'll definitely be back!

We dined here the other day for brunch. No wait time, and we got greeted immediately. My aunty…read moreordered a coffee, but we noticed there was a lipstick stain on it. The server apologized and quickly got us a new coffee! Accidents happen so we were just happy with the quick response to the issue. We ordered the chicken and waffles, Dungeness crab Benedict, and their classic sausage and eggs plate. Chicken and waffles were super good! Crispy chicken, and the waffle was nicely cooked. It also came with a piece of bacon which brought a good saltiness to the syrup. The Dungeness crab Benedict was also amazing! Instead of a crab cake patty, it was just Dungeness crab on top! Definitely prefer it this way because other restaurants tend to skimp on the crab when they do a patty version. The hollandaise sauce on top was nice and creamy and the eggs cooked perfectly. At the end of our meal, we did get the pie of the day. It's a rotating pie everyday. That day, the pie was a blackberry and peach pie. When the pie came out, it was well plated and the crust was flaky and hot. However, the blackberries were still a little frozen on the inside, so I don't think they allowed the pies to thaw out thoroughly before baking. In general, I would give this place a 4 out 5 stars just because service was good and the rest of the food was delicious. The restaurant itself is huge with lots of space for customers. They have a somewhat open kitchen concept, if you walk towards the bathroom you can see the cooks working hard in there. Cool environment and if you're looking for a place to have brunch and drinks I would recommend visiting.

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Uptown Grill
Uptown Grill - Warm Northwest Blackberry Pie

Warm Northwest Blackberry Pie

Uptown Grill - Red blend

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Red blend

Soul Cafe

Soul Cafe

4.2(45 reviews)
1.0 mi

Fantastic food and drinks!! I tried the chocolate coconut based milkshake. It's a scrumptious…read moredrink!! Their cacao is so delicious. If you have a medical condition affecting digestion and/or love local businesses w high quality ingredients, this is The spot! The staff are so accommodating and kind. The environment was welcoming and inviting. And they make their own things in-house including ice cream, cashew milk, and sodas. Soul Cafe puts a lot of intentional care into their sourcing and ambience. Regarding other reviews, good things take time to make. This isn't fast food franchise and the wait (no where near 15 mins) was well worth it. I'll definitely return again when I'm in Olympia.

I love the aesthetic, I really do. Small business vibes that are so reminiscent of Haight & Ashbury…read moredistrict streets in San Francisco, California But, this place was not it. Genuinely effing mad that I paid $7.98 for an "ice cream shake" with my customized chocolate and strawberry flavors blended that took 15 minutes to make. How? How did it take this long? And so long to make for a drink that did not even have the thick creaminess that ice cream shakes have. That drink was thin liquids. Liquid thinner than me. And that is not good. It deadahh tasted like someone got strawberry juice to mix with chocolate milk then threw in bitter ahh chocolate chip morsels bc they were trying to mask the expired tasting ahh strawberries. I deadahh wasted my money by coming here after my nice, sunny day stroll around the Olympia capitol building. I should have crashed out in the café so that they could remake this so-called ice cream shake bc no...this should not be sold. My tummy started to hurt after this, too. This does not happen for me. How? Genuinely impressed at how a drink could suck as bad as that one did. Do not come here for the drinks. Just spend money on groceries to make your own ice cream drink at home. 15 minutes long of a wait for a singular drink that was the worst that I ever had. Shame on this place Okay, done being mad

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Soul Cafe
Soul Cafe - Raspberry grilled cheese with chicken and waffles fries with garlic aioli

Raspberry grilled cheese with chicken and waffles fries with garlic aioli

Soul Cafe - Water feature

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Water feature

Cascadia Grill - D.B. Cooper burger

Cascadia Grill

4.3(661 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

Why did it take me 5 years to finally try this restaurant! It is a vibe and the food is incredible…read more We shared the poutine for starters and it was delicious! They have such a wide selection of food. I had the lemon chicken linguine for dinner and it was a huge portion and absolutely scrumptious. My husband had a steak sandwhich which was equally tasty. We didn't get to try dessert this time as i was too full but will definitely be back! The service was phenomenal, from the greeting at the door and being seated to every server we interacted with. Highly recommend.

Came here to try someplace new…read more I got the Cascadia burger, with blue cheese. It was good but very greasy. The burger was cooked well and had good flavor. My fries were OK - they were not super fresh when I got them. My wife got the Olydelphia Cheesesteak. The meat was cooked well enough, but the peppers were raw. It was also super soggy and greasy, to the point where the bottom bun was soaked through. The taste was good, but the bun was not great. My wife's friend got the hot Italian sandwich. It is a huge sandwich, and she said it tasted good. However, her bun was also a soggy mess when the food came. The server did bring a new roll for her. It did take a while to get our food, but once we got our food our wait staff was attentive. It's a little small inside, so not a lot of room, but that's just the nature of eating downtown.

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Cascadia Grill - Inside

Inside

Cascadia Grill - The one and only garlic steak

The one and only garlic steak

Cascadia Grill - Peanut Butter Stout! The glass is half full (in need of refill)

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Peanut Butter Stout! The glass is half full (in need of refill)

Octapas Cafe - Burrata

Octapas Cafe

4.3(279 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

Octapas Café was an outstanding dining experience and one of those places where every dish seemed…read moreto hit the mark. We started with the patatas bravas, gambas pil pil (butter garlic shrimp), oysters (both raw and cooked), and a hummus platter, and everything was excellent. The true standout, however, was the smoked salmon Alfredo--an absolutely incredible dish and one of the best pastas I've had in a long time. We added some chopped jalapeños for extra heat, but honestly, it was fantastic even on its own. The dessert was equally impressive, with a cake that was incredibly moist and the perfect way to end the meal. The wine selection deserves special mention as well. They offer a great variety of Spanish wines that pair beautifully with the menu. Service was fast, friendly, and attentive throughout our visit. The atmosphere is one of Octapas Café's biggest strengths. The restaurant features a beautiful, spacious dining room, plenty of outdoor seating, and even a private event space for larger gatherings and celebrations. Whether you're stopping by for tapas, seafood, pasta, or wine, Octapas Café delivers a memorable experience from start to finish.

Sat 11:30 am - no reservations. Restaurant not too busy. The…read moreolder female hostess was not welcoming to us or the party of 2 that walked in behind us. I've encountered her before -- she isn't rude, just not at all welcoming. She asked us to wait for a moment for'something' which turned out to be stocking water bottles and napkins. We felt like an intrusion to tasks she could've worked on after seating us. We asked to sit on the patio in the sun - she seemed annoyed by this but acquiesced. The patio was quaint and the weather helped make it enjoyable. We were greeted by our server (wish I had her name - older lady in tie-dye shirt) she was welcoming, helpful with the menu, and very friendly! We ordered cocktails and brunch and enjoyed both! Dishes (Smoked Salmon Lox & Goats do Roam Tart) & Drinks were all good - see photos for more info. So go -- get past the hostess and you'll enjoy the rest!!! PS - I do remember from a past visit, the Beignets were good!

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Octapas Cafe - Haunting octopus ......

Haunting octopus ......

Octapas Cafe - Salmon salad

Salmon salad

Octapas Cafe - Wings

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Wings

The Park Side Café - vegan - Updated October 2026

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